HCTZ

Hi there, I'm new to SparkPeople and also new to bp meds. I had my annual physical this week and my doctor finally had to put me on the meds. My bp has done a lot "borderline" over the years but now I'm older and borderline isn't really borderline anymore. She started me on a combo pill of lisinopril 10mg and HCTZ 12.5mg. She also directed me to SparkPeople site and told me to lose 15 pounds in six months. I thought that was a very achievable goal.

I asked her if she thought that if I lost 15 pounds I might be able to go off the medication and she thought that was certainly a possibility.

I too was angry with myself for letting the weight catch up to me. I have known that this could happen for years, but I just kept letting the pounds creep on and I became more and more sedentary. I am lucky that I haven't been diagnosed with diabetes yet. I am convinced that if I lose (healthily) 10% of my current weight I will not need the meds anymore. My bp at this past visit was 140/80, and over the past year it's done things like 130/90, 126/88, etc. Not good, but not off the charts.

I will not let it get off the charts. I will take the weight off and I will get more exercise. The support we give and receive from groups like this one can make all the difference.

I forgive myself for "letting" this happen. I can't move forward if I keep myself in a blaming place. Forgive yourself too, if you haven't already, swallow the "bitter pill" so that your body is healthy and better prepared to benefit from more exercise and weight loss. Congratulate yourself for coming to SparkPeople and posting to the group about your feelings. You are not the only one to be upset about having to go on meds. Keep in touch!

I have been on hctz with no side effects.
good luck

My doctor has told me that if I lose even 20% of my weight I could go off the meds. This is why I really need to get motivated and stay motivated. I finally feel like that might be possible with SP. One of the things I am having issues with working at trying to lose weight is that it takes so much time and energy to plan and prepare, weight and messure the right kinds and amounts of food. I think that is one reason why I have given up in the past. It just takes so much time! I too, am concerned with the side affects of this drug that I have read about. I am anti-medication anyway, unless I absolutely have to take it. I don't have a problem taking vitamins, but don't like medications especially if they have potential side effects. I will go on this and work with my doctor and continue working on losing weight.Hopefully I can get it under control.

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I guess one of my biggest problems with my HBP meds is taht when the prescription runs out, I will wait weeks to get it refilled. I am doing better with that now, but I really think everyday, that I cant wait until I dont have to take the meds anymore...but everyone keeps telling me that once you start HBP meds, you will be on them for the rest of your life. Now to me, that's the depressing part.

I take HCTZ @ 25mg now...and I also take Norvarc(sp). I took the HCTZ for about 9 months and then she added the Norvarc.

I am going to particpate in the reseach study beginning on Friday, and from what I hear from them, I am going to go thru a drug clean out for 14 days and then I will be randomed to take either HCTZ or Atenolol only for 7 month.

I hadnt heard of Atenolol before, but from what I see on the site, some people are taking it and arent having side effects....so thats a good thing for me to know in advance. I haven't had any side effects with the meds I am currently on.

Hi, I was worse than you about starting blood pressure medication. My blood pressure was 200/100, and I thought I could control it with garlic pills and meditation. My blood pressure is genetic, hits at 42 with a vengeance, and is some kind of adrenalin malfunction. So I was supposed to take Atenolol. I put it off for a month, absolutely petrified of how my body would react to it. My doctor literally yelled at me, told me I HAD to take it or I would burn out my kidneys if I didn't have a stroke first. I reluctantly took it, and it worked like a charm. My blood pressure went way down. But after a while I was getting puffy ankles, so he added HCTZ. I had problems with irregular heartbeats, and it looked like I was getting low in potassium, so I eat a banana every day, and other high potassium foods, and that seems to have cured the irregular heartbeats. I am 63, and I guess I will be on this for the rest of my life. I do feel tired and slow sometimes from these pills, but it's better than messing up my kidneys or having a stroke. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Thanks so much POOK_70. Boy am I loving this website. Who would've known there was this much support out there! How great it is that I was able to identify my feelings and state them here instead of turning to the food to avoid the feelings. Plus, being on the website keeps me from sitting in front of the TV munching.

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Hi Ajslinton, I'm not on HCTZ or any medication right now for that matter (long story), but when I was first put on medication last year, I was angry and depressed, and then cried all the way to the pharmacy and all the way home. My thoughts ranged from poor me to how could you be so stupid to let this happen.
Well, I managed to work through those feelings and get on the other side of them, and now do what I'm supposed to do.
You've got the right approach to your feelings - you need to deal with them and not surpress them. You'll make the necessary changes in your lifestyle, drop the weight and be off those meds in no time!

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Thanks KAYALDA. I don't know why I feel so hesitant about going on HBP medication. Did you have feelings of uncertainty or were you mad at yourself for letting your weight get so high that you needed it in the first place? I guess that's where I'm at. I know I need to embrace these feelings and then move forward.

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Hey AJSLINTON,
I am on HCTZ and I do not have not experienced any side effects from it. I have been taking them for about 5 years now. First I was put on 25mg daily, then it was doubled to 50mg and then lowered to 25mg which I am currently taking. Along with this I also take Atenolol 50mg and Diltiazem 30mg.

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My doctor wants me to go on HCTZ. Is there anyone out there that is on this medication to lower their blood pressure, and if so, have you had any side affects/complicatons? I guess my Systolic reading is high. I have read online the side affects that can occur from this medication. I am so anti-medication unless I absolutely have to. I really don't want to go on the Rx. But if it helps keep me around, so be it. I turn 40 this year - wouldn't you know it! Any helpful comments would be nice. Thanks.

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